A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said: ‘We received a call at 7.12am yesterday morning to Wickham, to a road traffic collision involving a van and a cyclist.

‘We sent an ambulance crew, an ambulance officer and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance to treat one patient.

‘The patient sustained head injuries as a result of the collision and they were taken to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries.’

Sympathies were passed to the cyclist and his family from Wickham Parish Council.

Clerk Nicki Oliver said: ‘Our thoughts are with his family.’

Secretary of cycling group Fareham Wheelers, Roger De Vere, wished the cyclist a fast recovery.

He said: ‘Our sympathies are with him and his family.

‘I hope he regains his full health and is cycling again in the near future and that the accident has not put him off.’

While there is no suggestion the cyclist was not wearing the right clothing, Mr De Vere warned of the dangers of cycling during twilight and stressed the importance of being seen by wearing high visibility clothing, white helmets and having lights.

He also urged drivers to be more ‘cycle aware’ and to make sure they leave enough space to pass.